Senate Resolution 133--Condemning All Forms of Anti-Asian Sentiment As Related to Covid-19

Floor Speech

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Ms. HIRONO. Mr. President. I rise today to condemn violence and discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) that has surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since March 2020, Stop AAPI Hate has received nearly 3,800 reports of discrimination and hate incidents nationwide. Unfortunately, the recent surge in xenophobia and hate specifically targeted against AAPIs is not new.

More than 180 years ago, when the first Asian immigrants came to the United States, members of the AAPI community experienced prejudice and legalized discrimination. Xenophobic policies such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the Federal government's incarceration of more than 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II, were born from fear, ignorance, and anti-immigrant hostility. More recently, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Arab, Muslim, Sikh, and South Asian Americans faced a wave of hate incidents and blame similar to what AAPI individuals are experiencing today. As George Santayana said, ``Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.''

The former president espoused and amplified virulent intolerance using slurs such as the ``China virus'' and ``kung flu'' to characterize the COVID-19 virus, putting the lives of 23,000,000 AAPIs at risk, including more than 2,000,000 AAPI frontline workers. Every day, these heroic individuals put their personal health and safety on the line to serve other Americans as health care professionals, first responders, transit operators, and in supermarkets and other essential service industries. However, AAPI frontline workers are not immune from discrimination and hate, which impacts both their personal and professional lives. Some AAPI nurses and doctors have reported workplace harassment from other staff and patients who refuse their care, while others have experienced terrifying encounters, including being violently shoved, spit on, and called racial slurs during their evening commute.

The rise in attacks against older AAPI individuals are both alarming and unconscionable. In January 2021, three AAPI elders were violently attacked in separate incidents in California. Tragically, one of these individuals, Vicha Ratanapakdee, died from injuries he sustained during an unprovoked assault, which his family believes was racially motivated. This discrimination which includes acts of physical violence is an additional threat elders now face as a result of the pandemic. Older adults are at higher risk of contracting severe COVID-19 and AAPI elders, particularly those who are recent immigrants or have limited English proficiency, may face additional challenges in obtaining health care, enduring economic insecurity, and suffering from language isolation.

Recently, on March 16, 2021, eight people, including six women of Asian descent, were shot to death at three Atlanta-area businesses. During a year of increasing racism and attacks targeting AAPIs, this latest senseless act of violence adds to the pain and fear felt by many in the AAPI community. Our leaders must step up and confront racial hatred and violence.

At Merrick Garland's hearing to be Attorney General of the United States, I highlighted the surge in discrimination and hate crimes against the AAPI community. In contrast to the Department of Justice under the Trump administration, then-Judge Garland recognized the harm and fear that these incidents have caused and pledged that under his leadership, the Civil Rights Division would vigorously review and prosecute these cases. This is the kind of leadership we need in order to combat these crimes. I will continue to raise the issue of anti- Asian hate with other nominees and officials to call attention to the alarming rise of hate crimes against AAPIs and the critical need for action.

The legislation that I have introduced, the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, will help to address the ongoing surge in violence against AAPI communities. It will focus federal leadership to investigate and report hateful acts of violence, and provide resources for our communities to come together and take a stand against intolerance and hate. The actions of our leaders matter, and I call on my colleagues in the United States Senate to condemn anti-Asian racism, and swiftly pass the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act during the 117th Congress.

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